In recent adventures, I've encountered more and more small tunnels that have been partially flooded. Is there any way to deal with this?

Its usually around half a meter deep, and often littered with debris, from wood planks to god knows what. I'm worried about stepping onto something sharp, or worse, falling into a flooded hole of some sort, even with combat boots on.

The area that I live is extraordinary wet, year round, so any hopes of exploration during the dry season are low. Even the drought this year didn't bring water levels down.

anyone have any advice on water flooded areas? should one just stay out of them?

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I try to stay out of flooded places with a lot of debris, especially if it's still raining. That's a good way to run into a problem. If it's always flooded and reasonably clear, you can try a small kayak or inflatable raft of some sort.

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If there's a lot of debris an inflatable might end up with holes. Kayaks work well, I've used them in a flooded mine. It depends how big your kayak is though and how big the tunnels are. You could also try waders and just be careful.

Posted by olcripple I try to stay out of flooded places with a lot of debris, especially if it's still raining. That's a good way to run into a problem. If it's always flooded and reasonably clear, you can try a small kayak or inflatable raft of some sort. click to view click to view

the debris filled water is at that awkward depth where it is far too deep to wade through safely, yet not deep enough for a rubber dingy or kayak. I feel like a rubber dingy would still be riské, just cause the possibility of it tearing on some random piece of rock.

Remember even if it's only a couple feet deep in the tunnel that doesn't mean it isn't 100' deep in the shaft ahead. I always am wary of water if I can't see the bottom.

If the tunnel floods... best to know where it goes. A industrial dumping or fire hydrate(s) purging of a large volume of water would be bad, very bad. Make sure rain is not in the forecast. Real sure.

Be sure ventilation is present. Even than stagnant water presents additional potential risks. Methane and H2S especially can incapacitate you before you know they're present. Disturbing the debris while wading through can cause the release of H2S if present. This gas is a proven killer.

Just remember the old adage

no draining when its raining

Even if its just sprinkling where you are there could be a pretty good downpour a few miles up system, that would be bad.